Assuming the USWNT finishes top of Group F later Thursday, as is expected, the Americans are going to face a tough path to the final, one that might include Spain, France and England. But what about the other side of the bracket?
While Germany is a big favorite, Die Nationalelf lost their best midfielder in Dzsenifer Marozsán to an injury. So who else might reach the final from that half of the bracket?
Japan and Italy are not to be taken lightly, but neither looks quite up to the task of making it to the final. However, the two teams who faced off to decide the winner of Group E appear legit contenders.
Because of the quirks of the schedule, the Group E winner and runner-up both are placed on the same side of the bracket, opposite the Group F winner. Both the Netherlands and Canada have looked more than capable of making a run to the final — albeit with completely different strengths. The Dutch have one of the most potent attacks in the world, perhaps only surpassed by the U.S. Canada has one of the strongest defenses in the world, plus one of the greatest goal scorers of all time.
The Netherlands claimed top spot in Group E by virtue of a 2-1 win over Canada on Thursday. The 2017 European champions struggled early in the tournament but appear to be hitting their stride as the knockout rounds arrive.
With former Best FIFA Women’s Player Lieke Martens, 22-year-old Vivianne Miedema, already her country’s best scorer ever, and exciting winger Shanice van de Sanden, the Netherlands has a front three that actually compares to the USWNT’s front of Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath. The Dutch attackers would be a scary sight for the USWNT defense to contain, perhaps more so than any other team in this tournament.
The Dutch depth is also not to be overlooked. Two subs have scored already for the Netherlands, including Lineth Beerensteyn on Thursday and a match-winner from Jill Roord in the opener against New Zealand.
Plus, outside of France and the U.S., no team will have better support than the Netherlands, whose orange army has been a thrill to watch at this Women’s World Cup.
Canada, on the other hand, is a bit more of a known commodity for the U.S. While the Americans usually beat their northern neighbors, the Canucks have shown the ability to take the U.S. to the limit. The 2012 Olympic games are proof of this, when the U.S. needed some fortunate calls to see off Canada in extra time.
In Christine Sinclair, who scored her 182nd career international goal on Thursday to pull two behind Abby Wambach’s all-time record, Canada has someone who can score against anyone and in a variety of ways. Defensively, with Lyon’s Kadeisha Buchanan leading the way, Canada is supremely difficult to break down.
No one should be surprised if the Netherlands or Canada progress to the final in France.
Of course, all of this changes if the U.S. loses to Sweden later Thursday, in which case the Americans would face Canada in the Round of 16.
Netherlands vs Canada Highlights
As for the match on Thursday, VAR had an early impact.
Canada thought it was awarded a penalty in the first 60 seconds, but VAR reversed the call and awarded a free kick just outside the box. Christine Sinclair, who probably would have buried a spot kick, shot the free kick straight into the Dutch wall and the Netherlands breathed a sigh of relief.
Early action for VAR in this one as a penalty is called for Canada, but review shows that the foul started outside the box. #NEDCAN https://t.co/2yhAqdBshK
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2019
The Netherlands took until the 30th minute to create an attacking chance of note when Van de Sanden’s cross was deflected by Canada keeper Stephane Labbé off the crossbar and bounced around the box before being cleared.
The attack was a sign of things to come. Vivianne Miedema made a great turn in the box to get off a shot that hit the wrong side of the post, then Daniëlle van de Donk then hit an excellent bicycle kick just over the goal.
OFF THE POST!
Miedema gets free with a lovely turn in the box, but her low strike hits the woodwork. #FIFAWWC https://t.co/mGqbtGQIm4— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2019
WHAT AN EFFORT
Van de Donk with the bicycle kick attempt that surely would have been the goal of the #FIFAWWC https://t.co/3OpQqhHKQs— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 20, 2019
The teams went into the break scoreless, but it wouldn’t stay that way much longer.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Sherida Spitse’s free kick was met by the head of Anouk Dekker, who flicked the ball past Labbé for the game’s first goal.
#WWCTelemundo ¡Llegó el gol de @oranjevrouwen!
Anouk Dekker se levanta por los aires y con un remate de cabeza, ya gana frente a @CanadaSoccerEN #NED 1-0 #CAN pic.twitter.com/eZjliqDj9C— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 20, 2019
The goal, the first allowed by the Canucks this tournament, seemed to spark Canada into life.
Moments after the Netherlands took the lead, Sinclair was through on goal only to shoot wide — and be waved offside. But the greatest active goal scorer in soccer was not to be deterred.
Sinclair pulled Canada even in the 60th minute with a smashing, sliding volley off a fantastic cross from Ashley Lawrence. Sinclair is now two shy of Wambach’s record of 184.
#WWCTelemundo ¡Se encuentra con el empate @CanadaSoccerEN ! @sincy12 encontró la espalda de la defensa para rematar tras una excelente asistencia de Ashley Lawrence#NED 1-1 #CAN pic.twitter.com/2Im4LbWYr6
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 20, 2019
As good as Lawrence’s cross was, the ball from Desiree van Lunteren to give the Netherlands the lead back was even better.
The Dutch right back sent a teasing ball across the Canadian goalmouth that Lineth Beerensteyn couldn’t help but score.
#WWCTelemundo ¡Cambio que funciona!
Solo tenía 5 minutos dentro del terreno de juego y Lineth Beerensteyn responde de estamanera: remata un centro ganándole la espalda a Buchanan#NED 2-1 #CAN pic.twitter.com/ZB8x9etOTN— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 20, 2019
The Netherlands will now face Group D runner-up Japan, the 2015 Women’s World Cup finalist, on Tuesday. Canada likely faces Sweden in the Round of 16 on Monday, but that could change should the Swedes upset the U.S. later Thursday.
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